Idaho Public Education Coalition
WHAT WE’ll DO
A Serious Discussion About the Future of Public Education in Idaho.
The Idaho Education Coalition has been started to help facilitate long-term change in Public Education. There is an increasing frustration being voiced by students, parents, and business and industry leaders that our current approach to education is not meeting the demands of the 21st century. It could be said that the recent growth in the “school choice” movement is a result of the public education system’s inability to evolve to meet current societal needs and expectations.
The Idaho Constitution specifically designates the legislature to take the lead in setting the course of education in Idaho. Article IV, “it shall be the duty of the Legislature establish and maintain a “general, uniform, and thorough system of public, free common schools.”
Reinventing public education needs to begin at the local level. During the summer and fall of 2025 a series of focus sessions are being conducted across the state. In these meetings, local educational stakeholders are being asked what our system of education could look like if we could clear the table and reinvent it today. Feedback and data are being collected, which will be used by legislators to develop legislation to change the course of education in Idaho. While there are current issues that need immediate attention, this is intended to be a long-term endeavor, not a short-term fix.
Idaho Public Education
- What is the purpose of public education?
- How do we define educational success?
- How do we regain trust in our public schools?
Register for Imagine Excellence
The Imagine Excellence meetings focus on asking specific questions geared towards identifying meaningful changes for Idaho public schools. Thank you to everyone who has attended prior meetings. We are continuing to update the web page as new request are expanding the schedule. Click on the link to register for the meeting nearest you.
- Imagine Excellence: North-Central Idaho, 9/15/25
- Imagine Excellence: Southeast Idaho, 10/28/25
- Imagine Excellence: North Idaho, 11/11/25
- Imagine Excellence: Southwest Idaho, 11/17/25
- Imagine Excellence: Treasure Valley, 11/18/25
Join the Discussion
We want to know how you think we can improve public education in Idaho. This short survey will help us identify where you think we should focus our attention. If you don’t see the survey below, you can submit your answers here.
What Questions Will We Ask?
What would it look like if we could rebuild Idaho’s public education system from the ground up without direct regard for funding, regulations, or tradition?
Imagine schools focused on real-world experience rather than standardized tests—what hands-on learning opportunities, apprenticeships, or community-based projects would you want to see for Idaho students?
If every student had a personalized education plan based on their passions, strengths, and career goals, how would that change the way we teach, mentor, and prepare them for the future?
What would you consider the primary purpose(s) of our Idaho Public Education System?
How could Idaho’s businesses, parents, and community organizations work alongside educators to create a more dynamic, relevant, and opportunity-driven education system? What partnerships could redefine educational outcomes?
What if learning wasn’t tied to a classroom, a grade level, or a strict schedule? Could we design an education system that allows students to learn at their own pace, in their own way, and from a variety of settings?
If you could prioritize three changes for Idaho education, what would they be?